Padua Franciscan High School’s volleyball program is steeped in tradition, success, and a commitment to excellence that shows up not only in their championships—but in their facility and the equipment that supports it.
Since adding girls volleyball in 1983, Padua has built one of Ohio’s premier programs, winning multiple state titles and competing on the national stage. That sustained success is matched by a long-standing partnership with Sports Imports, a relationship that began in the early 2010s through Padua’s coaches’ connections in the club volleyball world.
Padua’s gym, originally constructed in 1960 as part of an all-boys school, was never designed with modern volleyball in mind. With a tile floor above a cafeteria containing asbestos, the school was limited for years to an above-ground T-base system. Over time, that system became unreliable—culminating in a dangerous moment when a floor plate pulled out mid-practice and the net collapsed.
Rather than settle for another temporary fix, Padua turned to Sports Imports for a permanent solution.
Working closely with Padua’s administration and coaching staff, a Sports Imports representative and the installation team engineered a custom plan to install in-ground floor sleeves and plates without disturbing the asbestos below. The installer worked carefully from the top down, cutting precise openings in the gym floor and building reinforced concrete boxes beneath to securely house the sleeves.
All of this happened during the season, on a tight timeline that included relocated home matches and an upcoming homecoming dance. The result? A clean, professional installation that has now held up flawlessly for over a decade.
Beyond the sleeves and floor plates, Padua’s setup features a suite of Sports Imports equipment that has become integral to both training and game-day experience:
The impact has been so strong that as Padua plans a new gym and athletic center, Athletic Director Kevin Leigh has already made it clear: all volleyball equipment will be purchased from Sports Imports—no quotes, no comparisons.
What truly sets Sports Imports apart for Padua is the relationship behind the equipment.
A Sports Imports representative was a consistent partner, from problem-solving during the sleeve installation to ongoing conversations at the state AD conference each year. Padua’s current equipment representative has continued that support with on-site visits, facility walkthroughs, and planning for Padua’s new build.
For Kevin Leigh, the partnership extends beyond logistics. Their Sports Imports representative has been a trusted sounding board throughout his daughters’ volleyball journeys—from youth to high school state championships to Division I college volleyball—embodying Sports Imports’ deep understanding of the sport and its community.
Leigh’s message to other coaches and ADs is clear:
As volleyball continues to grow in popularity, Padua believes athletes deserve facilities and equipment that match their ambition—and Sports Imports has helped them deliver exactly that.
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